Cleveland Rowing Foundation Welcomes New Director of Rowing, Jonathan Crist

Welcome, Jonathan!

Cleveland Rowing Foundation is thrilled to welcome Jonathan Crist to Cleveland as the Cleveland Rowing Foundation’s new Director of Rowing.

Bringing a coach and leader of Jonathan’s caliber to CRF is an exciting moment for our community. He will help deepen our connection across the region while developing coaches and expanding opportunities to get more people on the water along the Cuyahoga River.

Jonathan joins CRF from Cascadilla Boat Club in Ithaca, where he led efforts to grow participation, strengthen culture, and build sustainable systems for equipment, funding, and coach development. His work reflects a clear focus on building strong, welcoming programs that deliver meaningful rowing experiences.

He has coached across NCAA Division I and III, collegiate club, junior, and community programs, and has coordinated USRowing U19 High Performance and Olympic Development camps. At every level, his approach centers on investing in coaches—through mentorship, professional development, and support—to elevate the experience for athletes and the broader community.

Jonathan holds a PhD in Rhetoric from Duquesne University and brings a thoughtful, intentional leadership style grounded in communication, mentorship, and service.

We are excited for what’s ahead as Jonathan joins our team and begins his work with coaches, athletes, and partners across the CRF community.

Please join us in welcoming him to Cleveland.